Express signal-call



model.)

; HMS- STIX.

EXPRESS SIGNAL CALL. N0. 258,820. Patented May 30, 1882.

UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY s. STIX, or CINCINNATI, oHIo.

EXPRESS SIGNAL-CALL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 258,820, dated May 30, 1 882.

Application filed October 21, 1881. (ModeL) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY S. STIX, of Gincinnati, Hamilton county, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Express Signal-Calls, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of expresscalls which are designed for the use of shippers to attract the attention of the drivers of express-wagons; and its object isto provide an express-call which can be seen by the expressman either by night. or day and from either direction on the street. I

The method now most generally in vogue is for the shipper to provide himself with cards representing the various express companies having offices in his locality, and when one or more express companies are wanted he hangs outcards representing the companies wanted. This method is very iinperfect,inasmuch as the expressman must be nearly in front of the card "before he can see it, and it cannot be seen at allafterdark, and buti'm perfectly on dark days.

The object of my invention "is to remedy these defects.

Referring to the drawings forming partof this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation of one side, partly. broken away to show the lamp within. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken through the letter O and its cover.

A is a triangular case, in twosides of which, B B, are cut the letters which represent the various express companies. The letters are preferably cut through in the form of stencilletters, and the inner surface of the sides B B, or so much of the surface as is perforated by the letters, is covered with isinglass or trans: lucent substance which will permit the passage of rays of light from the lamp within the case. The signs for the various express companiesare placed one above another, the sign for each company appearing on each of the sides B B at the same level as shown in the drawings. Forinstance, on the sideB appears the sign U. S, and on the sideBat the same level also appears the sign U. S.,? and below these is the sign for the Ohio & Mississippi Express Company. In this manner the signs for the various companies are arranged. Over each of the signs is a removable cover, a, so

arrangedthat it may be made to cover the sign or leave it exposed to view. Inthe present instance these covers are in the form of slides, which are retained against the sides B B by the slideways at. These slides are provided with the openings 11 and the solid portions b, the openings being of sufficient size to permit the letters of the signs to be seen through them, and the solid portions being of sufficient size to cover theletters. Each slide is also. provided with a knob or handle, 0, by which the slide is moved back and forth. A door is provided at some part of the case, through which the lamp 0 is introduced to the interior. The roof of the case is preferably made with a slight pitch,as shown, to prevent rain from entering the case. This case is to be placed in front of the factory or business house of the shipper, the sides B B looking toward the street, the inclined position of the sides permitting them to be seen-from either direction itrthe street.

When the shipper wishes to call one or more companies he uncovers the signs representing these companies by sliding the proper covers, a, so that the letters may be seen through the B B, so that the expressman' may see it from either direction.

When the expressman takes the package he slides the cover which belongs to the sign of his company, so that thesolid places b of the cover are over the letters, thus covering up the sign.

The letters of the signs, as before stated, are cut through the sides B B, and the inner plane of the opening thus formed is covered with some translucent substance which will permit the light to pass through, so that by- .openings 1), uncovering the sign on both sides The case Ais preferably made of sheet metal; but it may, if desired, be made of any other desired material.

The covers a may be somewhat varied in form and construction and yet fall within the scope of my invention. For instance, they may be made to swing around on hinges to uncover the various signs; but this is not so desirable aform as that herein shown and described.

What I claim as new and of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An express signal-call consisting of a triangular case, two of the sides of which are provided with translucent signs representing one or more express companies, and adjustable covers for rendering the signs visible or invisible at will substantially as described.

2. An express signal-call consisting of a case, A, having an interior lamp, 0, the sides 20 B B of the case being provided with translucent signs, each sign having adjustable covers a for rendering the sign visible or invisible at will, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. 25

3. An express signal-call consisting of a case, substantially as described, the sides B B of said case being provided with translucent signs representing one or more express companies, and the sliding covers 11, provided with 30 the openings 1) and solid portions 1), substantially as and for the purposes specified.

HENRY S. STIX.

Witnesses:

WM. E. JONES, E. R. HILL. 

